MASTERS & RECREATION

Entries for the Msunduzi Road Challenge are open and road cyclists competing in the Masters’ categories have the opportunity to participate in the only leg of the UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT) on the African continent, in Pietermaritzburg next month, on 26 and 27 October 2013.

This year’s Msunduzi Road Challenge serves as a qualifying event for the 2014 UWCT Final, which will be held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, later next year.

The Time Trial route is 30km long and the road race has two different race distances, namely 80km and 109km. The event will be centred out in the Wartburg, Harburg and Noodsberg areas, situated approximately 35km from Pietermaritzburg. These country roads offer good terrain for road cycling with little traffic.

“Cyclists can use the event to qualify for the UWCT Final if this is what they wish,” said event organiser Alec Lenferna. “But for the less competitive cyclists, this is a well-managed, secure road event in KwaZulu-Natal that all road cyclists should come and ride and be part of.”

Participants need to finish in the top 25% of their age group in order to secure invitations to take part in the prestigious UWCT Final. It is at the Final where cyclists racing in the Masters’ categories can earn the coveted UCI rainbow-striped world championship jersey in their respective age groups. However, the UWCT also provides cycling enthusiasts the chance to cycle a world-class cycle route with full road closure, and fulfills the aim of the UCI to acknowledge “Cycling for All”.

Route maps for the scenic time trial and road race courses in Wartburg and surrounds have been uploaded to the official website, and can be found by clicking the following link: http://www.msunduziroadchallenge.co.za/

Cycling South Africa

Cycling South Africa is the governing body of cycling in South Africa and is a member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). It is affiliated to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) as well as the Department of Sport & Recreation. Cycling South Africa regulates the five major disciplines within the sport, both amateur and professional, which include: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking, BMX Biking, Track Cycling and Para-Cycling. Cycling South Africa’s “2020 Vision” strategy, to cater for both the elite cyclist as well as the everyday two- and three-wheel lovers, contributes to the organisation being a dynamic, successful and highly respected governing body of cycling, at both National and International level. Cycling South Africa is committed to transformation and development of the sport and making it accessible to all via its development programmes.